Tag: photos

Free Week is great. The concept of having people fill venues so bartenders and stage crews have a little cash in their pockets is totally a get-behind theme. Now, my epic level of cynicism that creeps in from time to time means that I will give the evil eye to anyone mad about one-in-one-out at a venue. These bands are playing all over town, all year long and sometimes opening for a touring band you would think is too expensive to go see. #value Let’s go, Austin, spend that twelve bucks.

My Free Week rant is over. Let’s get on to some notables and photos. A. Sinclair is a constant fave for rock and or roll. Abram Shook lends credibility to any music catalog. That performance had two-thirds of Feverbones; they are wicked excited for the new record, naturally so are we. Tres Oui‘s invisible bass player had a killer set (#sarcasm). Space-sparse of Soft Healer was a reset. I got to see The Infinites at Beerland as a full band. I do miss a little of the DIY nature of looping to fill sounds, but the layered gazy post punk sounded really rad with guitars filling the room. Fave thing of the time I spent Red Rivering.

Peep the gallery. I spent time taking photos of friends and the people that make Free Week go. I even used a flash. Crazy right?

David Sackllah posed the question to Twitter (@dsackllah) on the eve of the band’s sold out show at Austin’s Barracuda. Sackllah goes on recalling a time not so long ago when a Pinegrove performance seemed like an under-attended and perhaps under-appreciated experience. Back then, turnouts hovered around thirty people. That was a year ago. Maybe he’s exaggerating the crowd’s smallness, but the visual goes a long way in driving the point home; Pinegrove is now suddenly huge, or at least hugely important to a lot of people.

I’m sure if you’ve ever read our site, you know how much I was looking forward to the Radio Dept blowing into Austin on a crisp evening. My anticipation was pretty high, and for the most part, the band was successful in their delivery to a grateful crowd.

Photoguy Comment: During their set, fans would randomly raise their hands in an effort to catch the music. I love that feeling. It happened a lot. It also rained just after their set was done. That was cool.

I met up with Brian, our photographer just after 8 on Tuesday night, a little anxious and a little weary. Low, since the late 90s has been a consistent part of my listening experience, not to mention one that I’ve often had trouble explaining my fandom. But, if anything, I left the venue that night with an expression of gratitude, to the band and the many fans that filled the Parish; it was one of those musical encounters few will understand…but those that do will cherish.

Even with the busy week that led up to Fun Fun Fun Fest, we’re always excited to catch one of our favorite acts like Wax Idols. It’s even more important when said artist is coming into town to promote a new record…in this case American Tragic. Check out below for thoughts and comments.

With the weather warming up a bit, we decided it was best to attend the Helio Sequence with 3/4 of the ATH team in attendance; you’ve got to have strength in numbers in case you get dehydrated. The band blew into town fresh on the heels of their latest, self-titled, album. They brought along Portland’s Lost Lander as openers, and treated us to a set of hits and new favorites.

On Sunday I started my week off on a positive note by heading down to see one of my long time favorite bands Matt Pond PA. Making the evening even better was an opening set by a more recent favorite of mine Young Buffalo. Though both bands could feel the sleepiness of the crowd due to possible long weekends, everyone seemed to have quite the good time. Follow the jump for some thoughts and recent music from both bands.

We hit up good ol’ Cheer Up Charlies Thursday night to support our friends at Punctum Records as they released Taft‘s Groove Redundant…they were joined by Isaiah the Mosaic, Lomelda and Sweet Spirit helped them close out in style. I’d have to say it was a pretty impressive line-up, and a rather impressive crowd.

After a short day of rest from festivaling, the ATH crew was back at it again on Tuesday night, braving the cold weather for an evening of Scottish indie rock music outside at The Mohawk. The bill was stacked for a great night–The Twilight Sad‘s heavy indie rock and the more poppy sound of We Were Promised Jetpacks offered a mixing of genres for the evening, but kept it rock and roll. It was a special evening for all, but an even more special evening for B.Gray and Nathan, who were celebrating their Manniversary. Read on for a double perspective of the show from Nathan and Nicole, as well as pretty pictures from B.Gray.

Friday was filled with a bit of hubbub, which was entirely fair. But, in the end, once we got in, the only thing that mattered was friends and music, so we’ll just focus on those things. Read on below for our varying thoughts. Read more